The Best Man: Triumph Of The Worthiest

May the Best Man Win is a phrase used before a race or competition, wishing success to the person who is the fastest, strongest, or most skilled. The phrase has been used as the title of various creative works, including a 2009 mockumentary-style comedy film, an episode of the TV series Friday Night Lights, and a young adult novel by Z.R. Ellor.

Two best friends compete to be the best man

Jeremy Harkiss and Lukas Rivers are two best friends with a complicated history. Jeremy, the confident cheer captain and student body president, has recently come out as a transgender boy. Before his transition, Jeremy dated Lukas, a football star and head of the Homecoming Committee. Lukas is struggling with his own issues, trying to find stability after the death of his older brother and the end of his relationship with Jeremy, who turned out to be a boy.

Despite their shared history, the two friends find themselves competing for the title of Homecoming King. Jeremy, refusing to let his transition ruin his senior year, decides to challenge Lukas for the crown. Lukas, on the other hand, is trying to put his life back together and sees the Homecoming King title as a chance to prove himself. As the rivalry between them intensifies, both boys take things too far, putting the dance in jeopardy.

To save Homecoming, Jeremy and Lukas must confront their true feelings for each other and address the hurt they have been hiding. Their journey is not an easy one, as they navigate the challenges of self-discovery, grief, and the complexities of their relationship. Along the way, they must also confront the bigotry and outdated attitudes they face from their school and community.

As the competition heats up, the two friends turned rivals push the boundaries of their rivalry, engaging in sabotage and even crossing moral lines. Their actions have consequences, and they soon find themselves facing the possibility of losing everything they have worked for. However, through it all, they discover that their feelings for each other remain strong, and they must decide if they can put aside their differences and find a way back to each other.

In the end, their story is one of growth, self-acceptance, and the power of love to overcome adversity. Despite the challenges they face, Jeremy and Lukas remain resilient, refusing to let others define them. Their journey is a testament to the strength of the human spirit and the ability to rise above adversity.

A trans boy enters a battle for Homecoming King

Jeremy Harkiss, cheer captain and student body president, is determined not to let coming out as a transgender boy ruin his senior year. Instead of bowing to the bigots and outdated school administration, Jeremy decides to make some noise by challenging his all-star ex-boyfriend Lukas for the title of Homecoming King.

Lukas Rivers, football star and head of the Homecoming Committee, is just trying to find order in his life after his older brother’s funeral and the loss of his long-term girlfriend—who turned out to be a boy. But when Jeremy threatens to break his heart and steal his crown, Lukas kickstarts a plot to sabotage Jeremy’s campaign. When both boys take their rivalry too far, the dance is on the verge of being canceled. To save Homecoming, they’ll have to face the hurt they’re both hiding—and the lingering butterflies they can’t deny.

Jeremy is charismatic, confident, and high-strung but is struggling with an intense anger living underneath his skin and in his heart. Lukas is a kind, shy boy with autism who has spent his life trying to be what everyone else needs him to be at the expense of himself. The two of them are exes and, in many ways, are just two queer teens lashing out at a world that continually denies them the respect and space they deserve.

A videographer's cheesy video

"May the best man win!"

The camera pans to a wide-angle shot of a high school football field, the sun setting behind it. The camera then cuts to a close-up of a young man with a determined expression on his face, standing at the edge of the field. He takes a deep breath and begins to sprint across the field, the camera following alongside him. As he runs, the voiceover begins:

"In the race to be crowned Homecoming King, two young men will stop at nothing to claim the crown. But only one can win. May the best man win!"

The camera cuts back to a wide shot of the field, with the two young men now racing side by side. The voiceover continues: "For Lukas Rivers, football star and head of the Homecoming Committee, this is a chance to find order in his life after a series of losses. But for Jeremy Harkiss, cheer captain and student body president, it's a chance to make a stand against bigotry and outdated school administration."

The camera cuts to a close-up of Jeremy, a determined expression on his face. "I won't let coming out as a transgender boy ruin my senior year," he says. "I'll make some noise, and how better to do that than by challenging my ex-boyfriend for the title of Homecoming King?"

The camera cuts back to the two young men racing, now neck and neck. The voiceover continues: "But when their rivalry threatens to spiral out of control, they must put aside their differences and work together to save Homecoming. Can they put their hurt aside and face their true feelings for each other? May the best man win!"

The camera pans up to the sky, with the sun now setting behind the football field, as the voiceover concludes: "Find out who will be crowned Homecoming King in this heart-wrenching and hilarious tale of young love, rivalry, and self-discovery. May the best man win!"

A high school football team

"May the best man win" is a phrase used before a competition to wish good luck to the participants and express the hope that the most deserving or skilled person will win.

Now, imagine a high school football team, let's call them the Panthers, who are about to embark on their season. The team has been working hard all offseason, with players pushing themselves to improve their skills and coaches strategizing to maximize their potential. As the season kicks off, the Panthers find themselves facing tough opponents week after week. The games are intense and hard-fought, with both teams giving their all. Before each game, the coaches remind their players, "May the best man win," instilling in them the importance of sportsmanship and fair play.

The Panthers' season is filled with thrilling moments and memorable plays. The team experiences the highs of victory and the lows of defeat, learning valuable lessons along the way. They encounter talented players and formidable teams, each presenting unique challenges. Despite the setbacks and obstacles, the Panthers remain resilient and determined. They embrace the spirit of "May the best man win," knowing that their success will be all the sweeter if they earn it against strong competition.

As the season progresses, the Panthers begin to find their rhythm. The players' individual skills shine, and their teamwork improves. They start to string together wins, climbing up the rankings and gaining recognition. The once-nervous freshmen have now settled into their roles, contributing to the team's success. The upperclassmen, seasoned veterans, lead with poise and experience, mentoring their younger teammates.

Entering the final stretch of the season, the Panthers are in contention for the championship. The pressure is on, and the team rises to the occasion. They approach each game with the same mindset: "May the best man win." This phrase reminds them that their success is not solely determined by the outcome of a game but by their dedication, hard work, and commitment to excellence. It encourages them to focus on their performance, knowing that if they give their best, they can hold their heads high regardless of the final score.

In the championship game, the Panthers face their toughest opponent yet. The game is a back-and-forth battle, with lead changes and dramatic plays. The Panthers leave everything on the field, displaying their talent, heart, and sportsmanship. As the final whistle blows, the score could go either way. Win or lose, the Panthers have embodied the spirit of "May the best man win," earning the respect of their opponents, coaches, and community.

A rivalry between exes

Jeremy Harkiss is a transgender boy, the cheer captain and student body president at his school. He's determined that coming out won't ruin his senior year, and decides to run for Homecoming King. His opponent? Lukas Rivers, the boy Jeremy dumped last summer. Lukas is a football star and head of the Homecoming Committee, and he's reeling from the loss of his long-term girlfriend—who turned out to be a boy—and the death of his older brother.

Jeremy's bid for Homecoming King is personal. He's angry and scared, lashing out at those around him as he navigates his transition and struggles with internalised transphobia and toxic masculinity. He's desperate for cis acceptance and fears that people will use his femininity against him, so he distances himself from the queer community and tries to embody stereotypical masculine traits. Jeremy knows that winning Homecoming King will force his classmates and the school administration to see him as a man and like him as a man.

Lukas is also grieving and trying to hold his family together in the wake of his brother's death. He's autistic and has spent his high school career masking his disability. He's a perfectionist, and winning Homecoming King would guarantee him acceptance into an Ivy League school, making his parents proud.

Both boys have a lot at stake, and neither is willing to back down. They take their rivalry too far, and the Homecoming dance is almost cancelled as a result. To save the dance, they must confront the hurt they're hiding and the lingering romantic feelings they can't deny.

May the Best Man Win

May the Best Man Win is a young adult novel by Z.R. Ellor. It explores themes of gender identity, neurodiversity, and the challenges of coming out as a trans person. The book has received praise for its diverse cast of characters and its nuanced portrayal of the trans experience. While some readers have found the main characters unlikeable, others have appreciated the honest portrayal of flawed, angry, grieving teenagers.

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